Do you guys find it easier to sing in the shower?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of singing in the shower, exploring why some individuals find it easier and more comfortable to sing in that environment compared to other settings. Participants share personal experiences, theories, and humorous anecdotes related to this behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Humorous

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a reluctance to sing outside of the shower due to concerns about their singing ability or fear of being overheard.
  • Others argue that the acoustics of the shower, including reflectivity and harmonics, enhance the singing experience, making voices sound stronger.
  • There are claims that the sound of running water does not effectively drown out voices for neighbors, particularly for lower frequencies, which can carry well.
  • One participant suggests that the enclosed space of the bathroom provides a sense of security, allowing for more uninhibited singing.
  • Another viewpoint posits that the combination of boredom and fear (inspired by horror movies) may lead people to sing in the shower as a coping mechanism.
  • Some participants humorously suggest specific songs or singing practices that could be entertaining in the shower.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the acoustics of the shower contribute to a more enjoyable singing experience, but there are differing opinions on the extent to which neighbors can hear them and the reasons behind the behavior. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the psychological factors influencing why people sing in the shower.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about sound transmission and acoustics without reaching a consensus on the specifics of how these factors interact in the shower environment.

flyingpig
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I am a terrible singer and I would never, under any circumstances, sing in my home even if there is no one.

But when I am in the shower, I sing like non-stop. Do you guys do this? Why is ti easier and more comfortable to sing in the shower?
 
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What the heck's wrong with you that you won't even sing when you're alone at home?

Don't' worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song.

Sing out loud, sing out strong.

Sing of good things, not bad.

Sing of happy, not sad.

Wait! That would rule out singing "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. So disregard that part about singing about good things and happy things. Sing about dysfunctional things, too.
 
BobG said:
What the heck's wrong with you that you won't even sing when you're alone at home?

Don't' worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song.

Sing out loud, sing out strong.

Sing of good things, not bad.

Sing of happy, not sad.

Wait! That would rule out singing "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. So disregard that part about singing about good things and happy things. Sing about dysfunctional things, too.

The walls are not sound-proof, my neighbors might hear me. But if the waters are running...
 
Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" 50 times a day. They'll move and your rent will go down.
 
flyingpig said:
The walls are not sound-proof, my neighbors might hear me. But if the waters are running...

For the record: the water running does not drown out your voice for anyone but you. Your neighbors will hear you just fine. In fact, they won't hear the high freqs of the water at all, but your low freq voice carries well.

BTW, the reason singing works in the shower is because of the reflectivity and harmonics. It makes a quiet, weak voice sound strong.
 
BobG said:
Wait! That would rule out singing "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. So disregard that part about singing about good things and happy things. Sing about dysfunctional things, too.
I love "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. And I hope you die...I hope we both die...
 
DaveC426913 said:
For the record: the water running does not drown out your voice for anyone but you. Your neighbors will hear you just fine. In fact, they won't hear the high freqs of the water at all, but your low freq voice carries well.

BTW, the reason singing works in the shower is because of the reflectivity and harmonics. It makes a quiet, weak voice sound strong.

No but maybe the walls in the bathrooms are reinforced? I can't imagine the disgusting sounds people make doing number two. I am sure it is sound-proof.
 
Evo said:
I love "No Children" by The Mountain Goats. And I hope you die...I hope we both die...

At least the neighbors don't keep pestering me to borrow a cup of sugar anymore.



flyingpig said:
No but maybe the walls in the bathrooms are reinforced? I can't imagine the disgusting sounds people make doing number two. I am sure it is sound-proof.

Not everyone lives on Old Milwaukee, Pace Picante Sauce, and Doritos. (My poor dog started whining in her sleep when I even typed that diet regimen.)

Start eating healthier!
 
flyingpig said:
...the disgusting sounds people make doing number two...

BobG said:
At least the neighbors don't keep pestering me to borrow a cup of sugar anymore.
Did I get some wires crossed? :biggrin:
 
  • #10
DaveC426913 said:
Did I get some wires crossed? :biggrin:
One of my favorite songs/bands.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVS5rpPW5Pg
 
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  • #11
^ Wow, what a wonderful depressing song! I like.
 
  • #12
micromass said:
^ Wow, what a wonderful depressing song! I like.
It's very funny. :biggrin:
 
  • #13
What you should do is put your headphones on, play your favorite CD, and sing along to that. That's always entertaining to anyone that happens by.
 
  • #14
BobG said:
Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" 50 times a day. They'll move and your rent will go down.

To expedite the process, I suggest learning Elmos version.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
One of my favorite songs/bands.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVS5rpPW5Pg


I love their songs! :!)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #16
I sing a lot :) in the car, at home, in the shower, at work (yes, I do work in a tight space with others, we all do it), etc... There is never a bad time to sing
 
  • #17
flyingpig said:
Why is ti easier and more comfortable to sing in the shower?

The reverberation overtones due to the enclosed walls of the bathroom gives more bass to the sound. Higher bass is more appealing to male voice. Hence men are usually the bathroom singers than women.
 
  • #18
It's fine, so long as the neighbors don't mind. You ought to hear what it sounds like during a sat dive. The problem is, the neighbors usually do mind.
 
  • #19
jobyts said:
The reverberation overtones due to the enclosed walls of the bathroom gives more bass to the sound. Higher bass is more appealing to male voice. Hence men are usually the bathroom singers than women.

Bass is also omni-directional, meaning it is difficult for the human ear to tell what direction it is coming from. Soft surfaces like water absorb bass, while hard surfaces reflect it making the overall effect in a shower similar to that of digital compression. The minor imperfections are obscured, while the overall sound is amplified. Because of the close proximity of the walls you even get a bit of a reverberation effect depending on how far off center you stand. Since the bass is omni-directional it all blends into a single sound that seems to come from all directions at once.

The loudest echos result when the shower ceiling is low and your ear is about 3/4 the distance from the floor. Thus even people with high pitched voices can enjoy singing in the shower thanks to the better then average acoustics they often provide. The loud sound of the falling water also provides people with a sense of security that their every mistake won't be criticized by others. Singing has often been described as "controlled screaming" and the less inhibited they feel and the more feedback they can receive using echos or headsets the better.
 
  • #20
I actually had a thought about this the other day I think I know why people sing in the shower. It's a combination of super boring with the fact that most people I think get a bit scared that they are going to be trapped in the shower and an evil clown will pop out of the drain and eat them! This is all of course a result of you know what movie. So the reason people sing is the shower is ET phone home.
 
  • #21
Containment said:
I actually had a thought about this the other day I think I know why people sing in the shower...

Let me guess - you thought of this while you were in the shower.
 
  • #22
No, the evil clown told him.
 

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